Jude Law has become a father again.

The 42-year-old actor has welcomed his fifth child into the world after his ex-girlfriend Catherine Harding gave birth to a baby girl and he is ''delighted'' with the tiny tot.

A representative confirmed the news to MailOnline: ''I can confirm the arrival of Jude Law and Catherine Harding's daughter. Both are delighted and continue to ask that their privacy and that of their child be respected.''

News that the hunky actor was expecting another child broke last year when his agent confirmed Catherine - known by her stage name Cat Cavelli - was pregnant but that they were no longer in a relationship and he was committed to raising the little one.

Jude - who has three children, sons Rafferty, 18, and Rudy, 12, and daughter Iris, 13, with his ex-wife Sadie Frost, is step-father to her 24-year-old son Finlay, and also has a five-year-old daughter, Sophia, with model Samantha Burke - later admitted he was ''happy'' to be expecting a fifth child.

He said at the time: ''There's always sensing the presence of age. I've done 57 films. Looking back, I can't believe I'm still working and maintaining my position. But I'm a happy man these days. Four children, another on the way. My 18 year old's in the business. My 24 year old, a gifted musician on piano and guitar, studies music in college. They're my bedrock.''